Editorial: Crowley for supervisor in D7

NEWS

Voters west of Twin Peaks in District 7 will elect a new
supervisor next month. After two terms, Supervisor Sean Elsbernd is termed out.
The district is probably the most conservative in San Francisco, although demographics
are changing and there are more and more LGBT people living there. This year,
there's even a gay man running to represent the district. But of the candidates
running, our first selection – in ranked choice voting – goes to
Francis "FX" Crowley.

Crowley, a District 7 native, has a firm grasp of the issues
and has a record as a public servant, community volunteer, and leader of the
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union. As a member of the
Port Commission, Crowley understands the issues affecting the city's
waterfront, including development (he supported the 8 Washington condo complex while
serving on the Port Commission, but says he does not support unencumbered
development). In District 7, he cited Lake Merced as a critical issue and said
that its deterioration has frustrated those who want to enjoy the lake and its
recreational activities. As a supervisor, he said he would work with city
agencies to restore the lake's water quality.

He has a history working with LGBT folks, particularly in
his union, where he said he consistently supported LGBT members to seek
leadership positions. He thinks it's important that boards and commissions
reflect the city's diversity and said he would recommend qualified LGBT
candidates for such posts.

We found Crowley to be knowledgeable about city issues and
in tune with his district. He is our first choice for supervisor.

Second choice: Norman Yee

Norman Yee, currently president of the school board, is a
strong ally to the LGBT community, particularly on matters pertaining to school
curriculum and education. He has a reputation as someone who gets things done
for children and families in the city and pointed out that for seven years now
math and English test scores have improved in public schools.

His main concerns are job creation and access to health
care, as well as increasing the supply of affordable housing.

Yee supports a vibrant nightlife in the city, and said that
increased access to public transportation and the availability of taxicabs in
District 7 is important because it is nearly impossible to hail a cab or travel
late at night in the southeast portions of the city and in his district. He
also supports community policing, which he said helps build relationships
between residents and the police and could address concerns raised by neighbors
in areas where there are issues of noise and public intoxication after clubs
close.

In short, we believe Yee would be a good supervisor.

Third choice: Joel Engardio

Gay District 7 resident Joel Engardio is running a
grassroots campaign in his bid to serve on the board. He pointed out that in
San Francisco, there is new territory for LGBT candidates to pioneer. While the
district is more conservative than many others in the city, there are shifts
happening in some neighborhoods, where there's been an influx of new LGBT
residents. Engardio has the support of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

Engardio said that his big issue is fiscal responsibility. A
former journalist, Engardio believes that the city must be accountable to
voters for how it spends public dollars, and that general fund money, rather
than borrowed funds, should be used for projects like street repair.
Unfortunately, in this economy, the city's general fund is strapped, which is
why voters have passed various bond measures for capital projects.

Engardio said he is an independent, and would not be
beholden to the various interests at City Hall. He said that he is a common
sense candidate who happens to be gay.